Abstract: A rotary threshing and separation unit, comprising a rotor housing with a feeding zone, separation zone and is discharge zone, parts of the circumferential housing being closed and other parts having openings, rotary driven threshing and separation rotor arranged in the rotor housing, beater plates fixed on the threshing and separation rotor, fan to produce a main air flow stream and auxiliary air flow stream through the rotor housing, and wherein baffle plates are adjustable and located between the sieve and grain collection element wherein the baffle plates effect the auxiliary air flow stream. The baffle plates are adjustable in position, length and width parallel and traverse to the rotary threshing and separation unit axis. The baffle plates are used to improve the separating function of the rotary threshing and separation unit.

Abstract: A two-row cane harvester 10 simultaneously harvests two rows of sugar cane in a green tropical cane field. Gatherer chains 62, 64 lift fallen cane stalks upwardly and support the fallen cane stalks as the harvester 10 moves through the cane field. A pair of topper mechanisms 54 top the cane stalks while base cutters 80 base cut the cane. A pair of transversely spaced turnaround devices 62 each move the cane transversely past the respective topper mechanism and toward a centerline 22 of the harvester, and thrust the topped cane stalks in a direction away from the harvester movement such that the topped cane stalks do not interfere with the cane moving toward the topper mechanisms by the gatherer chains. Base cut cane is received base first into the harvester intake.

Abstract: A two-row cane harvester 10 simultaneously harvests two rows of sugar cane in a green tropical cane field. A pair of topper mechanisms 54 top the cane stalks while base cutters 80 base cut the cane. Base cut cane is received base first into the harvester intake. The cane is cleaned in a whole stalk condition with a cleaning mechanism 92 that includes a plurality of rotating tines 100 moving in a direction to engage and force the cane leaves toward a base of the cane stalk, thereby efficiently stripping the cane leaves. An extractor blower 106 removes the leaves from the rotating tines and the cleaned cane. A stalk cutter mechanism 120, 122 may be adjusted to cut the cleaned cane stalks into selected billet lengths. Cane is preferably fed into the cutter mechanism at a speed greater than the ground speed of the harvester moving through the field. Another blower or fan may be used to remove remaining leaves from the billets.

Abstract: A self-propelled farm machine includes a rotatable air inlet screen assembly having a rotatable member and a surrounding contact surface with a positive seal therebetween. The preferred seal is composed of flexible, resilient material and includes a body portion circumscribing the rotatable member and in sealing engagement therewith, a disk-shaped skirt circumscribing the body portion and flexed into wiping engagement with the contact surface, and a transition section therebetween.

Abstract: An off-highway machine such as an agriculture harvester has an enclosed cab and a pressurizing blower or fan assembly for developing a primary or rapidly moving flow of air theretoward and directing a pressurized stream of a away therefrom. An apparatus is arranged proximate to and in operable combination with the blower or fan assembly on the off-highway machine for providing precleaned air to the enclosure.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having an enlarged cleaning area for enhancing the handling capacity of the machine without increasing the outside configuration thereof. The agricultural combine includes an elongated walled body arranged about and along an elongated separating mechanism. The combine further includes a cleaning station having a generally horizontal sieve disposed below the separating station so as to directly receive materials passing therefrom. The cleaning station further includes a blower assembly for directing a pressurized stream of air from an outlet end upwardly through the sieve thereby effecting a further cleaning function of the grain. The clean grain passing through the cleaning station falls into a clean grain area from whence an elevator transports the clean to grain an enhanced holding tank defined within the walled body of the combine.

Abstract: A combine harvester (1) is provided with a grain cleaning mechanism (12), comprising a fan (33) installed in a generally volute-shaped fan housing (72), having primary air inlets (73) in its side walls and a secondary air inlet (74) in its top wall. The housing (72) further has a main outlet duct (80) directed to a chaffer sieve (31) and a lower grain sieve (32) and an additional outlet duct (81) directed to a pre-cleaning sieve (29) and an associated grain pan (30). The secondary air inlet (74) is covered with a plurality of juxtaposed plates (75), comprising sets of louvres (76) which are opened rearwardly. Grain kernels which unwantedly fall off the leading edges of the sieves (29, 31, 32) or the grain pan (30) and into the outlet duct (80, 81), may be engaged and thrown upwardly by the blades (95) of the fan (33), but will be returned into the fan housing (72) by the louvres (76), which nevertheless do not obstruct an efficient air intake by the fan (33) .

Abstract: A self-propelling harvester thresher has a drive motor, a cooler with a cooler fan for supplying a cooling air, a sieve device arranged before the cooler for retaining dirt particles entrained in the cooling air, an outer housing associated with the sieve device and having a smaller efficient surface than an air inlet surface of the sieve device. The housing has a side which faces toward the sieve device and is at least partially open. A conduit connects the housing with a suction side of a blower. A screening element is arranged inside the sieve device opposite to the open side of the housing. The screening element is formed as an inner housing having a surface which faces toward the end surface of the sieve device and has an opening. The opening of the inner housing of the screening element is greater than the opening of the outer housing connected with the blower.

Abstract: An air flow deflector panel for insertion into existing combines of the axial flow type without modification to the combines for changing the direction of air flow from the cleaning fan to the sieve section. The air flow deflector panel includes a plate having mounting brackets for attachment to the existing structure of the combine for holding the plate which extends across the separation chamber behind the outlet of the throat of the cleaning fan. The plate includes an angled portion for directing a required portion of the air beneath the sieves past the front portion thereof. The air flow deflector panel accomplishes more effectively separation of the straw and chaff from the grain being collected below the sieve section than is currently possible with certain models of combines of the axial flow type and further eliminates the use of a higher air flow which can in any event result in a portion of the grain being expelled with the debris.

Abstract: A self-cleaning device for filtering air in a harvester includes a venturi ejector connected to a source of pressurized air which, in a cotton harvester, includes the cotton handling system blower. The ejector includes nozzle, a vacuum chamber shaped to minimize dead air zones and eddy currents, and a diffuser section. The vacuum chamber is supported near a rotating air inlet screen to vacuum debris from the inlet side of the screen. The debris is drawn into the negative pressure air stream upstream of the nozzle and is positively directed away from the engine compartment and other components on the harvester. The engine cooling fan receives only screened air, and the use of a source of air which is independent of the cooling fan, as well as any separate screen cleaning fan, helps to retain maximum engine cooling capacity.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cleaning fan for an agricultural combine having a snap in mounting assembly for attaching fan blades to the cleaning fan. The cleaning fan comprises at least two wheels, with each wheel having a series of radially extending mounting teeth. The mounting teeth are provided with snap in mounting assemblies comprising inner and outer transverse grooves between which are located inner and an outer projections. The inner groove is located at the outer periphery of the wheel and the outer groove is located on the outer projection. A spring is located between the inner and outer projections. The fan blades are provided with rectangular mounting apertures which engage the projections.

Abstract: A cleaning system of a combine is provided with a cleaning shoe having a step pan, a conditioning pan and a chaffer. A cleaning fan is provided with two outlets. The first outlet has two ducts. The first duct directs a primary air blast above the step pan through grain and chaff falling from the threshing system to the step pan. The second duct directs a secondary air blast through grain and chaff falling from the step pan and the separating system onto the conditioning pan. The second outlet directs a chaffer air blast to the chaffer.

Abstract: A machine for harvesting onions utilizes a blower which provides a stream of air through a duct, having an opening across which the onions pass and are topped. The blower has a bladed fan in a cylindrical housing open at both ends. The fan blades are supported by arms which, with the blades, define a support truss for each blade in the form of a triangular structure, having arms meeting at an apex connected approximately midway of the end of the cylindrical housing and a base provided by the blade to which the arms are connected. A rigid support is provided together with an enlarged and substantially unobstructed intake passageway for air along the axis of rotation of the fan which is pressurized and forced through the duct, using less horsepower and fuel than conventional fans of like size and air flow.

Abstract: A cost effective and efficient method and apparatus for converting a "husk-off" corn picker into a "husk-on" corn picker to reduce kernel loss and damage. The husking bed of the "husk-off" corn picker is removed and replaced with a corn conveyor consisting of a series of driven flights which convey corn from one end of the picker to the other. The corn conveyor is set at an elevated angle so that the uptake end is lower than the deposit end of the conveyor. A suction fan is attached to the picker above the corn conveyor and sets of rubber air dams are placed around the conveyor to increase the effectiveness of the fan. An air inlet means is provided in the side of the picker so that the suction means can pull air under the corn conveyor and across the deposit end of the corn conveyor as the ears of corn fall from the conveyor. This directed air flow pulls the debris from the ears of corn as the ears fall and carry the debris into the suction means where it is blown out and away from the corn picker.

Abstract: A conventional header of a combine harvester includes a sickle knife and a table onto which the crop material is deposited by a reel. The crop material is transported toward the feeder housing of the combine harvester by an auger transportation system. At the feeder housing, the auger includes a cylindrical drum portion with fingers to push the material into the feeder housing. This conventional arrangement is modified by the addition of a suction shroud positioned over the central cylindrical portion of the auger to extract dust when cutting dusty crops such as peas.

Abstract: A combine cleaning system including a fan and a cleaning sieve which coact with each other to separate chaff and unthreshed tailings from grain. The sieve defines a grain cleaning area comprised of an air foil section extending rearwardly from a forward edge of the sieve and a slat or louvered section downstream of the air foil section. The air foil section provides a first level of cleaning to the threshed materials deposited on the grain cleaning area while the slat section provides a second level of cleaning to the material received thereon. Preferably, the air foil section comprises about 60% to about 85% of the grain cleaning area.

Abstract: An agricultural combine having a pair of side-by-side axial separators. Each of the axial separators comprises a cylindrical tube, a rotor housed in the tube, an inlet and an outlet. An axial air stream is directed along the top of the axial separator to remove dust, chaff and other debris that may accumulate there. The air stream is intercepted from the cooling fan of an internal combustion engine by duct work that directs the air stream to a deflector located above the axial separators. The deflector forms a forward axial air stream component and a rearward axial air stream component. Exhaust openings are formed in the sidewalls of the combine to vent the forward air stream component. An exhaust gap is formed at the rear of the axial separator to vent the rearward air stream component.

Abstract: The secondary grain separator comprises an outer drum (12) constituted by at least two successive perforated lengths (18, 20, 22) having different mesh sizes, a feed chute (24) at the upstream end of the drum for pouring substances into the drum for separation along a vertical tangent, a curved wall (14) situated inside the drum and running from the chute at least as far as the bottom of the drum and defining an annular gap (16) for receiving the substances to be separated, deflector fins (30) inside the drum and inclined relative to the drum axis, and a collecting volute (34) surrounding the drum and including radially extending partitions (40, 42) defining collecting channels (44, 46, 48) facing the various lengths of the drum.

Abstract: An automated ginseng root harvester having a feeder conveyor, an air flow for separating ginseng roots from various heavier and lighter objects, a pair of lateral separation conveyors, an inclined conveyor extending in the direction of the air flow and a plurality of further conveyors for inspection and collection of the ginseng roots. The implement of the present invention dramatically reduces the manual labor involved in ginseng root harvest and insures substantially complete collection of all roots in a single harvest operation.

Abstract: A milkweed processing machine includes a housing having an inlet end and an outlet end. Milkweed pods are introduced into the inlet end and conveyed to a pod cracking chamber whrein a cylinder having rigid spikes projecting radially therefrom cracks the pods. The cracked milkweed pods are then conveyed to a picking chamber wherein a plurality of cylindrical members having fingers projecting therefrom will pick and loosen the floss and seeds from the cracked milkweed pods. The picking cylinders are arranged in parallel relationship and rotate in opposite directions. The picked and loosened floss and pods are then conveyed to a fluffing chamber which includes a rotating cylindrical member having a plurality of fingers which further fluff the loosened floss to remove the seeds from the floss. A fan directs a current of air through the loosened and picked floss materials to lift the floss and carry it to an outlet.

Abstract: A device for combine harvesters (11) equipped with impact straw cutters (16) of the kind equipped with a cleaning device (13) for separation of chaff from the grain and which rotary chopper is connected to the straw outlet (17) of the combine harvester, whereby the chaff coming from the cleaning device (13) and being transported by a flow of air is intended to be supplied to the rotary chopper (16). The rotary chopper is connected to the straw outlet (17) of the combine harvester. The purpose of the invention is to provide a device by which the chaff is spread over the entire harvesting breadth of the combine harvester and is also efficiently admixed with the comminuted straw such that a continuous and even distribution can be obtained on the field.

Abstract: A cleaning system for a combine having a plurality of cleaning sieves which are operated to arrange grain in a thin veil or crop mat on the sieves. The cleaning system of the present invention includes an elongated transverse cleaning fan and an air plenum. The cleaning fan is rotatably driven about a fixed axis and includes a plurality of spaced apart blades peripherally disposed about the fan. The air plenum extends parallel to and along substantially the entire length of the fan for directing a forced flow of air from the fan rearwardly through the cleaning sieves. The air plenum includes upper and lower air directing baffles.

Abstract: A combination harvester of conventional type includes a reciprocating sieve onto which the grain and chaff is deposited for separation by differential response to air flow passing through openings in the sieve. The openings in the sieve can be adjusted by an adjustment mechanism in the form of levers positioned at the rear of the sieve. A kit of parts is provided to communicate rotation of the hand crank within the cab of the combine through a flexible pipe which passes through an opening in the combine wall to a screw and nut arrangement which acts to adjust the levers of the sieve adjustment mechanism in dependence upon rotation of the hand crank. The reciprocation of the sieve relative to the combine wall is taken up by flexing of the pipe. The ability to adjust the sieve from within the cab allows on the go adjustment for fine tuning of the separation by the sieve according to harvesting conditions.

Abstract: An axial flow combine harvester incorporating a novel air flow system for separating grain from material other than grain. The system includes a cross-flow fan located at the exit end of the threshing cage which acts in conjunction with a cross-flow fan located adjacent the inlet end of the threshing cage to positively direct air past the cage to provide amore efficient separation of the grain from the chaff or straw.

Abstract: A combine harvester is disclosed wherein the operative components thereof are built according to a modular concept. The combine harvester includes a threshing module, a separating module and a cleaning module, all of which are supported by a frame and operably interconnected. Each respective module is interchangeable with a like module having a different configuration.